Track point lock for railways



$2 5 1939. wrA. pE mE 2,114 352 v TRACK POINT LOOK FOR RAILWAYS Filed Dec. 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q INVENTOR o r VZtL/AM A. PEDDLE.

A H V wmw QP .3 w. A. PEDDLE 2,174,352

TRACK POINT LOCK FOR RAILWAYS A Filed, Dec. 24, 1836 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mesnc assignments,

to The American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 24, 1936, Serial No. 117,500

Claims.

This invention relates generally to track point locks for railways and more particularly to an improved semi-automatic safety locking device constructed and mounted in such a manner as to 5 minimize the possibility of failure.

Switch points and other movable track points are customarily operated and locked in open or closed position by a switch stand or similar mechanism. Switch stands are customarily of sufficient height that they must necessarily be disposed beyond the clearance line of the rails and they are customarily connected to the switch points by an elongated connecting member. The switch stand is generally fixed to an elongated tie and the locking of the switch points depends upon the maintaining of the switch stand in fixed position relative to the rails. It has been found that failure of switch stand locks has resulted from such causes as breaking of the connecting rods, .displacement of the switch stand from the tie or other structure supporting it, and other similar causes.

According to the present invention an auxiliary track point locking device is provided which may be used in connection with track points, either alone or in association with a switch stand mechanism. The locking device is preferably mounted and operative entirely independently of the switch stand mechanism or the supporting structure therefor. The track point locking device formed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention preferably includes a locking member, such as a bar, connected to the track point and a locking member, such as a dog, hingedly carried on the locking bar whereby, when the track point is in closed position against the stock rail, the locking dog may be swung into locking position and thus prevent the track point from being moved away from the stock rail. If desired, a suitable bracket may be connected to the stock rail and may serve as an abutment for the locking dog. Also, this bracket may serve to guide the locking dog into locked position upon movement of the track point from open to closed position. The locking dog may be so formed that upon movement of the track point into open position the locking dog will be thrown into reset position and thereafter, upon return of the track point into closed position the locking dog is automatically moved into locked position.

The invention provides a simple, rugged, and compact locking device which may be disposed in close proximity to the rails without interfering with the clearance of the rolling stock. The

locking device may be constructed of relatively few and rugged parts and may be such that it is substantially impossible for the same to be rendered inoperative during ordinary usage. The locking device is mounted in the stock rail and track point and hence there is little possibility of the same being displaced from its support. The locking dog may be formed so that it can be locked in closed position, as by means of a padlock, whereby to prevent unauthorized tampering therewith.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a switch and switch stand having associated therewith a switch point locking device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the details of construction of the principal portion of the locking device, the device being shown in locked position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, only showing the locking dog in raised position prior to opening the switch point;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 only showing the switch point in open position and the locking dog in reset position ready to be moved into locked position by the closing of the switch point; the position of the locking dog just before reaching reset position is shown in broken lines;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the hinge member forming a part of the switch point locking device; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the locking dog forming a part of the switch point locking device.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

For the purposes of illustration, the novel track point locking device is shown in connection with one type of switch of conventional construction having a conventional switch stand mechanism associated therewith. It will be understood, however, that the novel locking device may be associated with other movable track points, such as the derailing switches, movable point frogs, etc., and further that the locking device may be employed either alone or in association with a switch stand or other track point locking device.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown, for the purposes of illustration, a pair of stock rails I5 and I I mounted on tie plates I3 which are in turn supported on ties I2. Associated with the stock rails I3 and I i and movable with respect thereto are switch points I4 and I5 connected by a switch rod I6.

The switch points I4 and i5 may be actuated from a switch stand I3 connected by a connecting rod I! to the switch rod I6. The switch stand l8 may be of any suitable construction and, for the purposes of illustration, a conventional switch stand has been illustrated herein. The construction and operation of this switch stand will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the stock rail II may include the usual flange 25, web 2| and head 22. The switch point I5 may include a flange 23, a web 24 and an indented point 25 adapted to abut the inner side face of the rail head 22.

Connected to the switch point i5 is a bracket or lug having a body portion 3| extending along the web 24 of the switch point I5 and secured thereto in a suitable manner as by bolts 28 associated with nuts 29. If desired, suitable stiffening plates 26 and 21 may be disposed adjacent the web 24. Extending beyond and. depending from the body portion 3| is an extension 32 adapted to receive the offset, bolt-like end 34 of a locking bar 33. The bar 33 may be secured to the extension 32 by bolts 35 and locking bolts 36 threaded in the end 34.

Pivotally mounted on the locking bar 33 is a locking dog 50, adapted to be swung into engagement with a suitable abutment, such as the bracket 10. When the locking dog 50 is in looking position (see Fig. 2), movement of the track point away from the stock rail I I is blocked. The locking dog 50 may be swung to open position (see Fig. 3) to permit the track point to be moved away from the stock rail.

The locking dog 50 may be conveniently pivoted on the locking bar 33 as for example by a hinge member 43 suitably secured to the locking bar 33 as by rivets passing through openings 43 and 38 formed in the hinge member 40 and locking bar 33 respectively. If desired, the locking bar may be suitably formed and the locking dog pivoted thereon.

The hinge member is shown more in detail in Fig. 5, to which reference is now made. The hinge member 40 includes a body 4| having a longitudinal groove 42 therein adapted to receive the locking bar 33. The hinge member 43 is formed at one end with a hinge or pivot portion 44 having an opening 45 extending therethrough adapted to receive a pivot pin 59 (see Fig. 2).

Parallel slots 46 and 41 are provided in the hinge member 40 fora purpose which will hereinafter appear.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the locking dog 50 includes a body 5! having depending parallel side flanges 52 and 53. Openings 54 may be provided and are adapted to receive the pivot pin 59 and thereby pivot the locking dog 59 on the hinge member 45, as shown in Fig. 2. The locking dog 53 is formed at its forward end with a front wall 55 adapted to abut a suitable abutment member as for example, the bracket I0, shown in Fig. 2. The edge 56 of the front wall 55 rests upon the locking bar 33 when the dog 50 is in locking position. The forward portions of the side walls 52 and 53 may be formed as lugs 5'! adapted to receive the locking bar 33 therebetween when the dog 50 is in looking or closed position and thus assist in maintaining the locking dog in position, in the event the pivot pin 59 should be displaced.

The locking dog 50 is pivoted on the hinge member 49 as by means of the pivot pin 59 passing through openings 54 in the dog 50 and openings 45 in the hinge member 40. The rearward portions of the side flanges 5'2 and 53 fit in the slots 46 and 41 in the hinge member 40, and the dog 50 is permitted to swing on the pivot pin 59 from the locking position, as shown. in Fig. 2, to open position, as shown in Fig. 3. The locking dog may have a flange 58 extending beyond the side and end edges of the free end to facilitate raising the dog from closed position.

The side flange 53 may be formed with an extension 60 having inclined edges 6| and 62. When the dog is in closed position, the edge 6| may abut the end wall 63 of the slot 41 and thus prevent further movement of the dog 50.

The extension 60 may be provided with an ear 64 adapted to project above the hinge member 40, when the dog 50 is in closed position. The ear 64 has an opening 65 adapted to receive a padlock 66 or other locking member whereby the dog 50 may be permanently locked in closed position.

The bracket 10 is formed with a fiange "II adapted to fit against the web 2| of the stock rail, a body portion I2 adapted to fit against the fiange 20, and an extension 13, the face 18 of which forms an abutment for the dog 50 when in closed position. The extension I3 has a way 14 extending therethrough for receiving the guiding and locking bar 33. The bracket 10 may be secured to the stock rail by a bolt 16 and nut 11.

The bracket I0 may be provided with a web I5 having an inclined edge adapted to guide the locking dog 55 into locking position, upon movement of the switch point I5 from closed to open position, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

Referring now to Fig. l, the free end of the locking bar 33 may rest loosely upon and may be guided by a bracket 80. The bracket 80 may be of any suitable form and may include base portions 8I fixed to the adjacent ties I2 and a strap portion 82 extending between the ties I2. The strap portion 82 may be bent or bowed slightly in order to support the locking bar 33 at the proper height. If desired, the bracket may be entirely dispensed with, in which case the locking bar 33 preferably terminates at the outer end of the hinge member 40.

The operation of the locking device is as follows:

Let it be assumed that the switch point I5 is in closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the safety locking device is closed and padlocked. In

this position the switch point is disposed against the stock rail I I and the locking dog 5|] is in approximately horizontal position with the forward wall 55 abutting the adjacent face 18 of the extension 13. The opening 65 in the ear 64 projects above the top wall of the hinge member 40 and padlock 6B is secured therein and prevents the locking dog 50 from being moved from closed position (as viewed in Fig. 2). The locking dog 50 firmly abuts the bracket Ill and is connected to the switch point I5 by means of the locking. bar 33 and the lug 30, the switch point l5 cannot be moved away from the stock rail l I.

When it is desired to open the switch, the padlock 65 is unlocked and removed and the dog 50 is lifted to open position, as shown in Fig. 3; this may be done by the hand or foot of the operator.

The switch points [4 and I5 may then be thrown to open position as by means of the switch stand H3, in a manner which is well known to those skilled in the art. During this opening movement, the locking bar 33 and the locking dog Eli are moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4:. When the locking dog reaches the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 4, the edge 62 of the reset extension 60 strikes the face 18 and, as the dog is moved further to the right, the dog is urged in a clockwise direction, the free end falling toward the bracket and the edge 56 finally coming to rest on the inclined edge of the web 15. The switch is now in open position and the locking dog 50 in reset position.

When the switch point I5 is again moved toward closed position against the stock rail ll, the free end of the locking dog 50 rides down the inclined edge of the flange l5 and across the ex tension 13 and finally drops, into closed position, as shown in Fig. 2. The locking dog 50 may then be padlocked' in closed position by means of the padlock 56.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the safety locking device is entirely independent of the switch stand or any other locking mechanism. Thus, if the switch stand 18 and the connecting rod ll, or any other connecting mechanism, is rendered inoperative, the switch points I l and I5 will remain in locked position. Also, if the switch stand 3 is displaced from the ties l2, the safety locking mechanism will not be rendered inoperative.

It is to be noted further that should the stock rail bracket work loose from the stock rail when the locking dog is locked, the track point will be held closed. Also, if the locking dog pivot pin should be displaced, the dog will remain in locking position. If any essential member of the device is broken, this will be apparent upon actuation of the track point and suitable repairs can be made.

Since the safety locking mechanism is extremely simple and rugged and is disposed relatively close to the rails, there is little opportunity for the same to be damaged or broken loose from the rail and switch point. It will be noted that when in reset or locked position, the safety locking device is entirely below the level of the rail head and thus does not extend above the lower vertical clearance level of the roadway. For this reason, the safety locking device may be disposed very close to the rails.

The locking device has no delicate or sensitive mechanism and hence is not readily rendered inoperative by snow, ice, falling objects or the like. The portion of the locking box which slides in the way formed in the bracket is well protected from dirt, grease or the like which might fall in it and cause clogging of the way.

It wil1 be seen that the safety locking device is substantially automatic and foolproof in operation. When the switch point is moved from closed to open position, the locking dog is automatically thrown to the reset position. When the switch point is moved to closed position, the locking dog is automatically guided into closed or locked position. Thus, no attention need be paid to the locking device when the switch stand is being operated but the latter will automatically operate as intended. It will be seen that the only operation required of the operator is that by lifting the locking dog 50 from closed or locked position when the switch is to be moved to open position. i While certain novelfeatures of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. In a track point construction having devices for operating the track point, an independent track point lock, a stock rail and a track point rail engageable with said stock rail, said lock comprising an abutment and a locking bar slidable with respect to said abutment, said abutment being connected to one of said rails, said locking bar being connected to the other of said rails, a dog member pivoted to said locking bar, said dog member being movable by the trackman, independently of said operating devices, to open position prior to opening said track point by said operating devices, cooperating devices on said dog member and on said locking bar for holding said dog member in open position, cooperating devices on said dog member and abutment for moving said dog member from open to reset position, upon opening said point rail by said operating devices, said dog member moving from reset position into locked position against said abutment upon closing said point rail by said operating devices.

2. In a track point construction having devices for operating the track point, an independent track point lock, a stock rail and a track point rail engageable with said stock rail, said lock comprising a support including a guideway and a locking bar slidable in said guideway, means for connecting said support to one of said rails, means for connecting said locking bar to the other of said rails, a dog member, means for pivoting said dog member to said locking bar, said dog member being raisable by the trackman, independently of said operating devices, to open position prior to opening said track point by said operating devices, a stop device for holding said dog member in open position, said dog member having a part engageable with said support to throw said dog member to reset position, engaging the top of said support upon opening said point rail by said operating devices, said dog member when in reset position falling into locked position against the end of said support upon closing said point rail by said operating devices.

3. In a track point construction having devices for operating the track point, an independent track point lock, a stock rail and a track point rail engageable with said stock rail, said lock comprising a bracket having a guideway, a look-- ing bar slidable in said guideway, means for connecting said bracket to one of said rails, means n; In

for connecting said locking bar to the other of said rails, a dog member, means for pivoting said dog member to said locking bar, said dog member being raised manually to open position prior to opening said track point by said operating devices, a stop device for holding said dog member in upright open position beyond dead center, said dog member having an extension located below said pivot means and engageable with said bracket, whereby, upon opening said point rail by said operating devices, said dog member is thrown from open to reset position engaging said bracket, and, upon the closing of said point rail by said operating devices, said dog slides down said bracket under the influence of gravity and falls into locked position against the end of said bracket.

4. In a switch construction having a device for operating the switch and an independent locking device for locking the switch, a stock rail and a switch point rail, said locking device comprising a bracket secured to said stock rail, said bracket having a guideway, a locking bar slidable in said guideway and secured to said point rail, a hinge member secured to said locking bar, said hinge member having a long slot and a short slot, a dog comprising a top wall and depending side walls, one of said side walls having a short extension and the other having a long extension adapted to be positioned in said corresponding slots, a pivot member passing through said extensions and through the sides of said slots, said dog, when in locking position, engaging said guideway with its side walls straddling said locking bar, said dog having a flange to assist the switchman in raising it to open position, said long extension having a portion engageable with said guideway When the switch is thrown to open position, to throw said dog from open to reset position, engaging said bracket, said dog passing from reset position to locking position against said guideway when said switch is thrown to closed position.

5. In a switch construction having a switch stand for operating the switch and an independent locking device for locking the switch, a stock rail and a switch point, said locking device comprising a bracket secured to the stock rail on the opposite side from said switch point, said bracket having a depending guideway, a locking bar slidable in said guideway extending under said stock rail and secured to said switch point, a hinge member having a recess in its lower face seated over said locking bar, said hinge member having a long slot and a short slot in its top surface, a dog comprising a top wall and depending side walls, one of said side walls having a short extension and the other having a long extension adapted to be positioned in said corresponding slots, a pivot member passing through said extensions and through the sides of said slots, said dog, when in looking position, engaging the end of said guideway with its side walls straddling said locking bar, said dog having a flange to assist the switchman in raising it to open position, said long extension having a portion engageable with said guideway, when the switch is thrown to open position, to throw said dog from open to reset position, engaging the top surface of said bracket, said long extension also having an ear projecting upwardly through said long slot when the dog is in locking position, through which a padlock may be passed.

WILLIAM A. PEDDLE. 

